Character and setting info: http://pastebin.com/u/MagicalPrincess
Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Start+Over+Quest
Ask.fm: ask.fm/MagicalMarquise

Really sorry I cannot start earlier than this, I'll try my best to keep questing even though I have less free time to do it.

>>35731018
>Go out and meet them now, hoping to be back before the sun is completely down
Might as well get it over and done with.

>best quest starts after a short break
>aunt has given birth jsut now and need togo visit the damn newborn

Family, why? What did I do to be hated like this?

>>35731018
>Go out and meet them now, hoping to be back before the sun is completely down

Rush the side quest!

>>35731018
It's my favorite quest, the one with the futanari tiefling and the interracial fertility cult!

>>35731018
>Plan to wake up earlier than birds tomorrow
Glad to see you back, OP!

>>35731103
>interracial

Ok, no, it's not your favorite quest, you fucking poser.

If it was, you'd know it's interspecies, not interracial, you dispshit. Now go away and go shitpost on somewhere else.

You decide you have to let them at least know you care and you're working on the problem, you don't know for how long you'll be gone and don't want to have them feel abandoned or think you're feeding them empty promises.

With Tahenohan in tow, you rush your step as much as possible, crowd permitting, to reach the North gates and go out. You don't see much outbound traffic, not surprising all considered; even if it's a rather peaceful-looking area, it's never safe to travel at night, you could become lost or get ambushed by a wild animal. Getting lost is the most likely danger though, along with tripping over something and breaking your leg. Still something you'd rather avoid.

The guards posted still let several people pass, but you suspect they either know them or easily identify them as farmers, since you know for a fact there's farmland in the immediate vicinity, all around Reboldeux. One of them moves in to stop you, however, looking you over with a faint hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"It's a bit late for going out and you don't look like you're from around here", his tone is firm but not overly hostile, "If you have business with the Redoubt, it will have to wait for tomorrow. If you have business elsewhere, state it".

It looks like he's not going to let you out without an answer. Oh well.

>"I need to make a delivery to a farmstead".
>"I need to get something from a farmstead".
>"I have to meet someone that lives outside".
>"I have to meet a fisher friend of mine".
>"I have to meet some mermaids that live along the coast".
>Other?

>>35731233
>"I have to meet some mermaids that live along the coast".
No need to lie.

>>35731233
>"I have to meet someone that lives outside".

>>35731233
>"I have to meet a fish friend of mine".

Heh. Techincally true.

>>35731233
>"I have to meet some mermaids that live along the coast".

"I have to meet some mermaids, there are news I must bring before tomorrow comes", you declare, "They live along the coast, but not too far from here, I think I can be back before you even close the gates".

You were expecting that long stare, even that doubtful frown, but you aren't lying, which should get you where you want, along with some pretty doe eyes, "Please, I won't take long", you add.

The guard gives you a long stare, then glances at Tahenohan, then nods, deciding it's too late to start arguing with someone for no reason. Especially someone accompanied by a half-elf. "Very well, but be careful outside. If you stray from the road to the Redoubt, watch your step, the coast is jagged and there's practically no beach, there are some points where one wrong step can plunge you in deep waters. It's amazingly easy to drown at night".

"I'll be careful", you promise. You actually knew what he told you about the coast already, but then again you don't plan to stay out for too long. Even then, you have a freshly bought lantern with you, you should be okay.

Even if you hurry, it takes a while to reach about the same point you met the two mermaids last time. Mina and Sally were their names. You still remember, but the sky is tinted orange and when you look out at the calm waves of the Crystal Sea, you see the long reflection of the sun that's about to touch the horizon. You're starting to have doubts about being back before nightfall.

As you stare at the sea, you begin wondering just how you're going to call the mermaids in the first place. Assuming they are even around. Damn it's tricky to communicate with fish...

>Call their names at the sea
>Carefully tread in the water and hope to be noticed
>Throw something in the water
>Whistle
>Other?

>>35731496
>Ask Tahe if she has any clue how to call Mermaids

>>35731496
>>35731508
Sounds smart to me. If it doesn't work
>Carefully tread in the water and hope to be noticed
>Call their names at the sea

>>35731496
>Drop your drawers and wade out.
>Carefully tread in the water and hope to be noticed.
>Call their names at the sea.

>>35731496
>get in the water, remove underwear

It worked the last time...

You turn to Tahenohan for help, "How do we call a mermaid to the coast?".

"I don't know!", she gleefully admits, staring at you with awe, "I've never seen so much water before, I wonder how many are swimming down there right now".

Right. Barbarian, western wastelands, deserts, rolling hills... You're actually pretty damn sure there's lakes and seas in Voronia, somewhere, there must be, but Tahenohan clearly doesn't come from there.

Since it all comes down to your own initiative, you decide to remove your boots and roll up your trousers to start treading in the water. You make a point of being very careful, you don't want to trip or step into a hole, you might really drown for something that stupid. You're already incapable of seeing where your feet land, it's going to be a complete nightmare to even tell where you're heading once the sun dips beneath the horizon.

You don't go far, you hope this is enough to be noticed. But you start calling their names just to be sure.

"Sally! Mina!".
"Sally! Mina!".
"Mina! Sally!".
"Sally? Mina?".

You try a few times, you use all the air you can get in your lungs. It doesn't seem to be working.

The water is still lukewarm and it's slowly going towards the pleasantly cool. You wonder if it will get chillier as time goes by. It probably will. But right now you need to think of another plan.

>Actually pull your pants down. Hey, it worked last time didn't it?
>Throw something in the water.
>Whistle.
>Try to move around and splash a bit.
>Keep calling.
>Other?

>Other

Tread out into the water, then make splashes in a repeating pattern.

>>35731669
>>Actually pull your pants down. Hey, it worked last time didn't it? Hell, take it all off.

>>35731669
>Actually pull your pants down. Hey, it worked last time didn't it?

Oh my.

>>35731669
>Try to move around and splash a bit.
>Try calling their names into the sea

>>35731669
>Actually pull your pants down. Hey, it worked last time didn't it?
Well, we'll see what happens

>>35731669
>>35731669
>Actually pull your pants down. Hey, it worked last time didn't it?

You try and make splashes in the water, in regular patterns, hoping that this is how mermaids communicate underwater, but the sound and general mess you can make with your arms is pretty tame compared to that of the waves, even in calm waters. You doubt it's going to work. You don't know how you can tell in the first place though, you just cannot see what's going on beneath the water level. There could be a mermaid out for your dick right now and you would be none the wiser.

Oh, right.

You look around a bit and see no one but Tahenohan who doesn't count as a stranger. You've attracted them with your peculiar groin before, didn't you? Might as well try again. You would expect them to know you're working for them and come out even without such a provocation, but you have to make sure.

As you take your trousers off, a part of you wishes for them to not show up. It would feel humiliating and kind of objectifying to have them only come for your dick even though you're putting honest effort out for their sake. You actually believe you're pretty easy to recognize: not many people have red skin and a tail like yours, but then again maybe it's really dark underwater, or mermaids have poor eyesight, who knows.

You're starting to seriously consider stripping completely at this point, it would feel awkward if one of them were to wonder why you're only naked from the waist down. As you're grasping the lower edge of your shirt, about to take it off, you hear Tahenohan's voice, "Hey, hey! Are we actually here for a swim?".

She sounds eager, but then again she always sounds eager.

>"Yes, join in"
>"No, but join in anyways"
>"No, stay there, it could be dangerous"
>Other?

>>35731902
>"No, but might as well at this point."

>>35731902
>"Yes, join in"

>>35731902
>>"No, but join in anyways"

>>35731902
>"No, but join in anyways"

O dear.

>>35731902
>>"No, but join in anyways"

>>35731902
>"Yes, join in"

Damn, Lillith's worm wasn't good enough for a a couple of fishes? That gotta hurt.

>>35732056
>Worm
I think we're solidly a ferret.

>>35732104
But not yet an otter, thankfully.

>>35732104
Don't underestimate the length and girth of a worm.

"No", you tell Tahenohan, you're not really out for a swim. It would be nice, the water's really at a cool enough temperature to be even more of a relief against the hot weather, but that's not why you're out here at this time of the evening. Then again, it won't hurt to have someone defend your virtue if you're beset by a school of lustful mermaids, "But come in anyways, it's safer if we're close".

Oh how easily does her dress fly up in the air as she jumps in to join you. You instinctively feel like warning her about how dangerous it is to skip around like that, then you think you shouldn't reprimand like a child someone who could be your mother, then you start wondering if being a half-elf means she can receive such treatment, and in the end you just waste all useful time for any of those reactions and simply brace as she hugs you briefly, using that contact to stop the inertia she shouldn't be having since she's noticeably deeper in the water than you, being practically a head shorter.

"Kuha~", she goes as she splashes around in the water. She clearly forgot about you not being there for swimming but it's okay, telling her to stay still would just be a waste of time in this situation. She's a lot calmer than Mires, in a way, as she's not always spasmodically trying to do something just to keep herself busy, but she does have an enviable amount of energy within that small half-elven frame of hers.

"Ah, look!", she then points towards the sea, "Something's coming!".

She sounds excited, but her half-elven eyes are noticeably better than yours, it seems, because it takes you a while, even with her pointing, to see what she's pointing at.

It seems to be a fin, sharply parting the water as it quickly approaches, straight towards you.

>Get the fuck out of the water
>Stay very, very still
>Kick it as it draws close and then run
>Greet it
>Other?

>>35732145
>Get the fuck out of the water

Shit, it's a dolphin, GTFO

>>35732145
>>Stay very, very still
>Hold Tahenohan close to us. Very close.

>>35732145
>Get the fuck out of the water
Jesus Christ.
If it's a mermaid we can always go back.

>>35732216
>>35732186
Considering Tahenohan's vision, shouldn't she be able to see if it's a shark or not?

>>35732145
>>>Stay very, very still
>>Hold Tahenohan close to us. Very close.
I don't think sharks get THAT close...

>>35732270
Maybe she knows.

You don't, but maybe she does.

Asking her could be an option.

>>35732271
>>35732188
>>35732145
This. I'm pretty sure Sharks are only attracted by blood anyway, and I'm pretty sure neither of us are on our period

>>35732327
Could be a shark mistaking us for a sperm whale.

You admit you don't know much about the sea, as you've never lived really close to it, but even uneducated fellows know there's two things that swim in the water and have fins: dolphins and sharks.

If it's the former, it probably just wants to play or is very curious and somehow away from his school. If it's the latter... You're going to lose more than your bait.

"Out!", you push Tahenohan back towards the safety of solid ground as you do your best to rush back yourself, "Out! Now!".

"Eeeh?", she seems somewhat surprised, but feels the sense of dread and urgency in your words. You don't get separated from her and always keep her within arm reach and as close to you as possible without tripping on each other's feet: if it's something dangerous, being able to help each other might just save your lives.

However, neither of you can swim and even if you didn't go far out in the water, sea creatures are at solid advantage in their home turf when it comes to speed. You take a peek behind you and see the fin dangerously close to your back, then it takes a very sharp turn and plummets beneath the water right next to you.

"HELLO!".

With a loud splash, the creature comes out in front of you instead. Short blond hair, the amazingly wide smile of someone who's either a psycho or a very honest person that is very eager to make friends. After the initial shock, you take a deep sigh of relief and try to calm yourself down. Thank Nao it's just a mermaid.

A very loud mermaid, but at least she's not ripping your flesh off or something. Her smile is unsetting, though.

>Greet her, introduce yourself.
>Greet her, ask if she knows Sally and/or Mina.
>Greet her, try to reach the coast first, you never know.
>Greet her, count her teeth because there's something wrong in her mouth.
>Other?

>>35732481
>>Greet her, count her teeth because there's something wrong in her mouth.
>Greet her, ask if she knows Sally and/or Mina.

>>35732481
>Greet her, introduce yourself.
>Ask if she knows Sally and/or Mina
We WOULD notice if it was one of the ones from town, right?

>>35732481
>>Greet her, introduce yourself.
>>Greet her, ask if she knows Sally and/or Mina.

>>35732557
You're pretty sure it's none of the mermaid bullies. Even if the sunset gives everything long shadows and strange shades and the glare prevents you from seeing well towards the sea, you're pretty sure there was nobody like her at the docks.

>>35732481
>Greet her, ask if she knows Sally and/or Mina.
>count her teeth

Sub species of mermaid?

>>35732481
>>Greet her, introduce yourself.

"Hello", you answer, trying your best to steady your breath. You still feel your heart beating fast and loud for the scare you just got, and you have to remind yourself you might not be completely safe yet. "Nice to meet you", you continue after a pause you needed to draw some air in, "I am Lillith, this here is Tahenohan. We're friends".

"Hello!", Tahenohan waves with the hand she had on your breast since the creature popped out. You were so shocked and nervous you just failed to notice until now, that's saying something.

"HELLO", even though you're right in front of each other, she's as loud as if she was calling you from the other side of the sea, "I'M TERRY. DO YOU WANNA PLAY?".

"Actually we're looking for two friends of yours", you're not sure what playing with her entails, so you dodge the question for the moment, "Their names are Mina and Sally. Do you know them?".

The mermaid tilts her body a bit from side to side, her smile waning a bit, which is still rather wide for ordinary human standards. Sure, she's not human, but she should look like one from waist up. You take advantage of the brief moment of silence to try and look what's going on in that strange mouth of hers, but the only thing you can count before she starts speaking again is that she has three rows of teeth, not just one.

"IT'S THE TUNA AND THE BETTA, RIGHT?", she asks. You remember Mina mentioning something about Sally being a tuna, you thought it was some kind of mermaid speak for someone slow, but you guess mermaids resemble ordinary fish species to some extent, just like harpies with bird species.

"Yes, do you know them?", you might be in luck, until you notice Terry doesn't seem to be too eager to talk about them.

"I DO", she admits, "... WOULD YOU RATHER PLAY WITH THEM?", she looks a bit sad.

>Yes, you'd rather play with them
>No, but you need to tell them something important
>No, you want to play with everyone, not just one or the other
>Other?

>>35732797
>>No, but you need to tell them something important

>>35732797
>No, but you need to tell them something important
Saying yes would be like kicking a puppy.

>>35732797
>No, you want to play with everyone, not just one or the other
>You have something you need to tell them first though

>>35732797
>>No, but you need to tell them something important
C-can we pet her? She's adorable.

>>35732886
... And now I realize she won't be popular for the pier idea. No one wants to put their dick in a knife drawer, after all. Poor Terry.

>>35732797
>>Yes, you'd rather play with them

Oh boy, three rows? Dangerous.

>>35732998
That's racist. Don't judge mermaids on the contents of their mouth, but on their ability to give head.

... Shit, wait.

"It's not about playing", you carefully weigh your words. Those very loud words from before came out of a literal meat grinder. You instinctively bend your knees to lower your waist just enough to hide your penis beneath water level, for all the good it will do. It takes some serious courage to thrust a dick in there, you have no idea who would be crazy or desperate enough to try it, "I have to tell them something important and I don't have much time".

"OH", she seems to feel a little sorry and her smile has mostly waned. Even if she isn't smiling, her mouth is unnerving, not because of the mouth itself but for what you can see past the lips, it sends shiver down your spine.

Since she seems to just fidget nervously a little, you feel like you have to ask: "... Is something the matter?".

"I DON'T THINK THEY LIKE ME VERY MUCH", she still fidgets, "MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIKE ME VERY MUCH".

You can imagine. You wonder if she's this outrageously loud underwater, too. You also notice she doesn't have decorations on her: no shell bra, no jewellery... Even Mina, who was quite modest for what you've seen of mermaid standards, wore something to make her look prettier.

"Why don't they like you?", you're afraid of the answer.

"I BIT THE BETTA ONCE", she admits, "SHE WAS FLARING AT ME AND SHE WAS CLOSE SO I REACTED ON INSTINCT". She pauses, "I BIT THE TUNA ONCE TOO. SHE LOOKED LIKE FOOD". After another moment of silence, she adds "I WAS HUNGRY", as if to justify herself.

You can imagine why she isn't popular amongst other mermaids. You wonder how popular she would be amongst humans. You actually wonder if she's ever eaten one of them before.

Still, she's the only one that answered your call.

>Reassure her and have them go look for Mina and Sally anyway
>Reassure her and relay your message to her, Mina and Sally will know, eventually
>Ask her how she deals with humans
>Ask her if she has any mermaid friends
>Ask her if she's ever been at the docks
>Other?

>>35733089
>>Reassure her and relay your message to her, Mina and Sally will know, eventually

>>35733089
Headpats. Lots of them. Scratch her behind the ears too.

>>35733089
>>Reassure her and relay your message to her, Mina and Sally will know, eventually
>>Ask her how she deals with humans
>>Pat her head.

>>35733132
>>35733131
>>35733089
This seems good.
BE
VERY
CAREFUL
WITH THE HAND
IN FACT, WE MAY AS WELL ASK BEFORE PATTING HER TOO

>>35733089
>Ask her if she has any mermaid friends
>Ask her how she deals with humans

>>35733089
>Reassure her and have them go look for Mina and Sally anyway

Shit, guys this is important, we have to speak directy with them.

>>35733277

Alao adding these:
>Ask her how she deals with humans
>Ask her if she's ever been at the docks

>>35733277
Not THAT important: we're giving them an update, but we won't be able to do anything for weeks. Also, asking Terry to deliver the message might make Terry feel important and try to make amends with the other mermaids.

"It's okay, I'm sure they're not angry any more", you carefully extend you hand above her head and pat her. Your bravery is awarded by a very sincere, very happy smile from what might just be a rather shy girl.

And this almost makes you freeze in terror because by the twintails of Jure those fucking teeth. Those. Fucking. Teeth.

"I have to tell you something very important", you continue as you keep patting her head and ruffling her hair a little too. It's short and perpetually wet, as is normal for a mermaid... You actually wonder how mermaid hair works, it shouldn't feel this smooth and pretty and natural if it's perpetually drenched in saltwater. You guess mermaid hair is special.

"OKAY", she agrees, eager for the patting to continue.

"You must tell them that I have spoken to the mermaids at the docks", you tell her very slowly, to make sure she remembers and doesn't just focus on you patting her head, "And that I have started informing the humans there will be mermaids waiting for them just outside town, along the coast, so they have to hang out there with their friends in the near future. Word will spread amongst land walkers".

"OKAY", she answers, looking rather happy.

"... Are you good at dealing with humans?", you instinctively wonder. She looks rather harmless now that she's practically there in your hands, but to anyone else... Well, you would forgive them if they screamed and ran during their first encounter.

"I DON'T THINK THEY LIKE ME VERY MUCH", she admits, looking a bit crestfallen, "THEY ALL SCREAM AND RUN AWAY BEFORE I EVEN COME OUT OF THE WATER. I THINK IT'S BECAUSE I BIT SOME OF THEM SOMETIMES OUT AT THE SEA". She pauses, "IT'S NOT MY FAULT, THEY LOOK LIKE FOOD WHEN THEY'RE FLOATING OUT THERE. SOMETIMES THEY'RE EVEN COVEREDIN BLOOD. THEY HAVE SUCH A NICE SMELL...".

Now her smile is unnerving again.

>Ask if she's been at the docks
>Ask if she has mermaid friends
>Ask if she wants to join the hotspots
>Other?

>>35733321

It's pretty much like bailing out of the side-quest. "Hey guys, I promise to help, k?" "Lol jk, I went away and had someone else tell u".

It's bad practice, anon, and we have no involvement with this mermaid.

>>35733380
>>Ask if she's been at the docks

Let's see the bully mermaids go up against a shark.

>>35733389
Actually, you're not bailing out of the side-quest. In videogame terms, it'd be like having it fall behind in terms of priority. You'd have to give up on the problem altogether to actually abandon it.

Also, part of the suggested solution (mermaid pier in particular) isn't short term. Staying even a week longer wouldn't be enough to just finish it like that.

>>35733380
>Ask if she's been at the docks
>Give her some tips on how to be more popular. Talk about her teeth, her shouting, her fin, etc.

>>35733448
>>35733380
This.

>>35733440

Hmm, alright. Just feels bad a bit to me.

>>35733380
>Ask if she has mermaid friends
Geeez

>>35733380
>>Ask if she has mermaid friends
>>Ask if she wants to join the hotspots
>>Continue patting that head!
If she wants to join the hotspots, though, she's going to need training and a patient teacher. Not so subtle volunteering.

"Have you ever been at the docks?", you ask.

"NO", she shakes her head, which you're still patting. Her hair feels quite exotic, in fact, you could do this all evening, "I DON'T THINK HUMANS LIKE ME VERY MUCH, I DON'T WANT TO BE IN TROUBLE IF I GET TOO CLOSE TO THEM".

"What about other mermaids? Do you have any friends amongst them?".

"UH...", she ponders for a little too long for there not to be problems, "I THINK THE TUNA AND I WERE GETTING ALONG NICELY UNTIL I BIT HER. THAT SCARED HER", she ponders for a bit longer, "THE QUEEN WAS NEVER MEAN TO ME EITHER, BUT SHE DOESN'T CALL FOR ME EXCEPT ONCE A YEAR".

"Sally", you correct her, "Her name's Sally, she's not just a tuna".

"SALLY, YES".

"Call her like that, use her name, people like when others use their names to call them, especially their friends", you kind of need to help her if you want her to deliver your message, "Also, try to use a lower tone of voice, you don't need to shout when you're this close to someone".

"I AM NOT SHOUTING", she looks confused. Oh dear.

"Nevermind that", you take a brief pause because you think you're starting to get a headache and her not-shouting is probably the cause, "Also, when you approach humans, try to swim lower, people will mistake you for something bad if they see your fin".

"BUT IT'S A LOT FASTER WITH THE FIN OUT".

"It's not a matter of who comes first, but who stays after you come", you realize you just gave her some very good advice that would apply to a good portion of land walkers as well. You feel rather good about yourself, "Don't worry, be natural, and don't be concerned if someone's scared at first: just try your best to not bite anybody".

"OKAY".

"Especially humans, they're not food".

"I KNOW, THEY TASTE HORRIBLE. BUT SOMETIMES THEY FALL IN THE WATER AND FILL IT WITH BLOOD AND-".

"Yes, okay, but you don't have to bite".

>Ask her something else (what?)
>Ask Tahenohan something (what?)
>Bid her farewell and return
>Other?

>>35733667
>>Bid her farewell and return
>>Tell her we won't be back for several weeks, but we would like to see her again.
Terry's so cute.

>>35733667
>>35733700
Yeah, this sounds good to me.

>>35733667
>>Bid her farewell and return

>>35733667
>Tell her to send the other two our regards
>Bid her farewell and return

You stop patting her head but keep your hand there, caressing her at the ear a bit as you proceed to tell her probably the most important part of the plan, "Okay Terry, I will be leaving tomorrow and be away for several weeks. Remember to tell Mina and Sally that I have talked to the mermaids at the docks and I have informed the humans that there will be more mermaids to wait for them along the coast, so make sure that as many people as possible know they have to play close to the land".

"YOU HAVE TO GO ALREADY?".

"Yes, I'm sorry but I'm really in a hurry, I have to get back before nightfall", and the sky is already tinted dark blue, with just a hint of sun out in the distance. Good thing you still have a lantern and that it's dry, waiting for you but a few metres away, "Don't worry, I will be back to see how things are progressing and I would like to see you again when I do".

"I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOO", good thing it's getting dark, you would have jumped if you could clearly see all those teeth from this close.

"Remember that I'm working to try and get you and the humans closer to each other, I'm sure they all want to have a better relationship with you and you might even find playmates this way, but I need you to cooperate", you give her a smile and prepare to leave, "Give Mina and Sally my regards, okay?".

"OKAY!", and she watches as you walk out of the water. She doesn't react at your penis, you're not sure if it's because her head is elsewhere or if she just didn't notice. You wave back at her and she waves at you and then dives down and disappears from your sight.

Well, this went way better than you first thought.

As you miraculously saved your virtue again (and your flesh too) from odd mermaids, you notice that Tahenohan is staring at you as you're about to put your clothes back on.

"Hey, hey", she goes, pointing at her head, "Pat my head too".

>Pat her head
>Don't pat her head
>Have her pat your head instead
>Other?

>>35733917
>>Pat her head
>>And rub her back.
Tahenohan is a good girl.

>>35733917
>Have her pat your head instead
Ha-HA!

Fuck guys, we forgot to ask Terry for a better way to call mermaids than drop trousers and see who arrives.

>>35733960
>>35733917
This.

>>35733917
>Pat her head
>Then have her pat your head too

>>35733966
We will need a conch shell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPpiCdt5aC8

>>35733917
>>Pat her head

>>35733966
Hopefully by the time you'll need to call mermaids out again you'll have found a better way.

... Or there will be mermaids out already so you don't have to strip and flash the underwater realm every time you need someone.

>>35734028
But storytelling dictates that will not be the case. Maybe we get an Orca-mermaid next time.

>>35734028
But that way is so much fun. A lot of tension is relieved when everyone's naked!

You're not sure if it's jealousy or what else, but you gladly oblige Tahenohan by patting her head. She goes "Ehehe!" and looks very happy. As expected.

"You know what?", you suddenly stop, getting her attention almost immediately, "Now that I think of it, I can't remember when was the last time someone patted my head".

"Really?", she looks somewhat surprised, "That's a huge pity, you're very good at patting heads".

"I am?".

"You are", you are, admittedly, somewhat surprised to learn that patting takes skill and that you have it, "Most people don't pat properly and don't really put love in it. Others just caress you normally, others just ruffle your head and some people just grab the head and jerk it around a bit. You're a good patter of heads".

You feel good about being complimented, even if it's for a skill you didn't even know existed, and Tahenohan grabs your wrists and motions you to get down so she can pat your head instead. You just sit on the comfortable, fresh grass and let her do her thing.

Her small, long-fingered, half-elven hands feel good, she has a very soft touch that also has the expertise one gets when they are used to handle the human body. You doubt necromancy teaches people to massage or give proper head pats but then again she had at least twice your years to practice this (and much else, most likely), so you have to admit that she's not half bad herself.

She also seems to notice that your horns don't just make the head patting experience more unique and/or challenging, but brushing her hand there or outright touching them actually gives you a reaction. "Oho~ do you like it?", she asks as she massages your horns around their base.

>"Yes".
>"No".
>"It just feels normal, I'm actually a bit chilly because I'm still naked, and wet".
>"Let's just stop here while we can still see well enough to light the lantern and head back".
>Other?

>>35734239
>>"Yes. Please continue."

>>35734239
>>"Yes".

>>35734239
>"I, uh, plead the fifth. Oh, the fifth refers to a law in- you know what, forget it. The horns are a little sensitive."

>>35734276
It's so tempting to get lewd, what with the two of us still being naked and Tahe's butt being right there.

>>35734317
Bad anon. Down!

>>35734239
>You're good at head-patting too.

>>35734276
>>35734239
Second

It is difficult to describe how it feels. Your horns are more sensitive than people think. Most people learn about horns and how they work from farm animals, like cows or goats, especially cows because some farmers have the habit of grinding their horns to prevent them from accidentally (or purposefully) impaling or hurting someone, and it's therefore a rather well-known fact that they aren't a very sensitive part of the body.

What people without horns of their own don't know, and can't actually know, is that they're attached to the skull and therefore you feel pressure, pulls, motion in general, especially vibration, even the very kind one that comes from caressing, and that your skin around the base is very sensitive to an expert touch.

"Yes", is all of the description that you can give her, "You're good at head patting too, please go on".

And she does, gladly, you can see her satisfied, almost smug smile at making you feel good. You have to admit it makes you relax considerably and all of the tension of this day, which was full of activity now that you look back on it, seems to just melt away from your head.

>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.
>Other?

>>35734504
>>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.

>>35734504
>>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.
Subtle. We can get and give more headpattings when we get in bed. We have an early start, anyways.

>>35734504
>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.
Finish up before it gets lewd.

>>35734504
>"There is a point where this needs to stop. But let's keep going an see what happens."

Time to force the QM out of his comfort zone.

>>35734504
>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.
Smug Tah is fine too.

>>35734504
>That's great and all but seriously let's just go back, you can see little more than Tahenohan's outline now and you don't think starlight is going to make things much better. Also it's getting a bit too chilly to be still naked.

You force yourself to resist whatever temptation was about to get you out of sense of responsibility and the burning desire to not catch a cold and be sick for your first day of work.

Fortunately, Tahenohan seems to be pretty comfortable in just starlight: the moon is in its crescent phase and going towards half, which means there isn't much light coming down from that celestial body, but half-elves apparently are very good at seeing in the dark and she helps you lit your lantern, which begins shedding light, enough to make you comfortable about not stepping into pits or other pieces of dangerous terrain that might break your ankle or leg, or just hurt you as you fall.

You reach Reboldeux's north gate safe and sound: fortunately you weren't far away and could very well see the lights of the town from your position, which made your trip somewhat exciting but also really quite safe. The wind is picking up nicely, a fresh breeze that is actually quite pleasant now that you have clothes on. Although all considered, now that you're dry you have to wonder if it's even possible to catch a cold in these lands, when it's warm even in the dark of the night.

As expected, the gates are closed and there's no guards posted outside. You knock at the smaller door, reserved for passage when the gates aren't available, and in a short time a spyhole slides open and you hear a voice from the other side.

"State your business", he claims, but doesn't wait for an answer before continuing: "Wait. Horns, red skin... Tail", you're not sure he actually sees your tail, he's probably just guessing, "Oh you were the one who wanted to talk with the mermaids at odd hours", and he chuckles.

"Say", he then continues, "What was so important you needed to do at night, eh?". You're pretty damn sure he just wants some gossip, but then again he's the one at the door...

>"Some of them are my friends"
>"I had business to organize"
>"I'm improving their relationship with Reboldeux"
>Other?

>>35734841
>"Some of them are my friends"
>"I'm improving their relationship with Reboldeux"

>>35734841
>"Some of them are my friends"
>"I had business to organize"
>"I'm improving their relationship with Reboldeux"
I want them all, this time.

>>35734841
>>"Some of them are my friends"
>>"I'm improving their relationship with Reboldeux"
>>If he still seems curious, mention that the mermaids at the docks are kind of jerks, and we've been trying to help out the not jerk mermaids who are nice and looking for men for company.

>>35734841
>"Intense patting action."
>"Some arr my friends and like that kind of thing, but I'm working to help them to make friends with more humans."

Everything, pls.

>>35734841
>"Some of them are my friends"

>>35734841
>>Other?
You're a priestess of Ishtar.

>>35734993
Why do people keep trying to bring this up? It's not exactly a badge of honor in the eyes of humans.

>>35735014
It's an explanation for why you would visit monster girls.

>>35735033
And it's a sure way to get the guards after us. The cult of Ishtar is sort of seen as evil by most of "civilized" society.

"I have friends there", you explain, "And I need them to cooperate to improve relationships with Reboldeux".

"Improve relationships? Heh, what are you some kind of diplomat of the sea?", you're not sure how seriously he's taking you. Probably not very.

"Mermaids are our neighbours, they have much larger numbers than what we see at the docks and are actually organized, but because of a few individuals we aren't interacting with most of them", you insist. Even if he doesn't count for shit in the grand scheme of things, you want this guy to understand, if you can't convince a gossiping guard to see your point how are you expecting to one day go in the Duke's Palace and make demands of any kind?

"I heard about the dock situation, I heard it was a glory hole kind of deal", and now he's contributing to the chatter. Oh dear you're going to stay out for a while aren't you? "You know I wonder how you fuck a fish woman, I mean she's fist from waist down, right? Where are you going to stick your rod?".

You don't think saying "I don't know" will help you being taken seriously at this point, so you just glide over the issue, "The problem is that the ones currently at the docks aren't being nice to the others and hogging all the attention to themselves. They're partly responsible for the whole mermaid community being underestimated in importance".

"I never thought mermaid politics were so deep", he sounds positively struck by your passion, "I never even thought mermaid politics were a thing. And how did you get so involved with them?".

You gather your patience as you stay outside, and during the pause he just chuckles, "Alright, alright, come in already".

The smaller door opens and you're finally let in Reboldeux once again, "So, where are you headed for the night?".

"The Hairy Mermaid".

"Good. Stay in the main streets, where there's light. This is a nice city but better safe than sorry. Take care, you're the only mermaid diplomats we have", and he chuckles.

>Continue

>>35735033
It's also misleading when we have no reason to be.

>>35735131
I don't see how it's misleading. We're a priestess of Ishtar and we help monstergirls.

>>35735064
Everyone we've talked to hasn't be overtly hostile to ishtar.

The city is more active than you thought at night.

Music fills the streets, coming from various inns and taverns, especially the latter, and even some street performers are still active. Light comes from lanterns hung at poles at regular intervals, with some kind of faintly glowing circuitry carved on their surfaces. You know what everyone with the most basic schooling knows about ley lines: it's the most safe, stable and easy to use form of "magic" available, and also not really good for anything except public illumination and somehow plumbing, though you forgot why it's important for the latter.

You head safely back to The Hairy Mermaid and find your friends already very busy working to serve the many patrons at the inn. So busy, in fact, that the only one that can greet you as you return is the owner, the lanky man who looks a bit too thin for his own good but who took you in without really complaining.

"Oh, look who's back, where have you been?", he wonders, you're not sure if he's pissed or just busy or if that's just the way he is.

"I had to take care of some business before leaving", you feel like you should inform him that you'll be away, "I have found work that will lead me outside the city. I will be departing tomorrow early in the morning and likely won't be back for weeks. Thank you again for letting me and Tahenohan stay for these days".

"Well you're paying customers so keep your thanks", he is right, but still. He looks at you and then at the full establishment. Even the veranda is full to the brim, and you kind of envy the customers that are enjoying the fresh sea breeze while having a good dinner, "If you want to eat you'll have to wait, we have our hands full with others right now".

You can see that, and your stomach growls loudly as your nose takes in all the scent of good, warm cooking.

>Wait upstairs until your friends are free
>Stay down and help even though you'll stay up until late
>Other?

>>35735272
>>Wait upstairs until your friends are free
Time to relax for a while.

>>35735272
>Wait upstairs until your friends are free

Don't want to wake up late and miss the job.

>>35735272
>Stay down and help even though you'll stay up until late
>Spread the word about the mermaids

Do as much as possible for them.

>>35735207
>>35735225
> Also known as the ancient mother goddess, her cult is relatively unknown outside of Voronia and only openly worshipped in the kingdoms of the Lich-Sorcerers. In the kingdom of Rune, her cult is widespread only amongst monsters and monstrous humanoids, including those that have frequent and peaceful relationships with humans such as harpies, mermaids and centaurs.

> However, most of her rituals involve the use of (very modest quantities of) blood, which along with the suspicious interest in having different races breed with each other make her cult not very welcome anywhere civilized.

> Openly "evil" gods are both very rare and unknown to the general public and their cults would most likely face quick and violent eradication before they could bring too much damage to any civil place.

Yeah. Let's NOT get lynched before we can actually get a good reputation so that when we start spreading worship of Ishtar they don't immediately call guards or inquisitors on us.

Need a tie breaker on whether you stay down or go up

>>35735478
Stay up.

>>35735409
Although Ishtar might not be popular in these lands I doubt she's classified as evil.

>>35735272
>Stay down and help even though you'll stay up until late
Work work.

>>35735272
>Wait upstairs until your friends are free

>>35735509
There's a reason why our friends don't know about us being a cultist.

You decide that since you're paying customers and you've worked to earn your stay already, you're going to relax. Your job- jobs actually, are more important than being an ordinary wench. Not to downplay what your friends are doing, but you did get a great chance, two even, it would be silly to jeopardize it for no real benefit.

You head back to the common room you're collectively using and sprawl on your tiny bed to relax. And then Tahenohan does the same, and your relaxation is interrupted by her body hitting yours and- you instinctively "oof" but it actually doesn't even hurt. You forgot that half-elves are so damn light, she feels like a fleshy cushion rather than a humanoid body.

"That was a long day, wasn't it?", she goes, comfortably using your breasts as cushions because hey, you didn't complain last time so you can't complain now either. Not that it's a bad thing: she's so light she doesn't even impede your breathing in the lightest.

"It sure was", you close your eyes for a moment and already start to feel drowsy. The only thing that keeps you awake is your hunger, but after all the walking and talking and everything else you start to feel like you could even skip dinner. I mean you're going to be served a nice, healthy breakfast tomorrow at the Golden Boar Inn, right? Isn't it supposed to be one of the best in town? That will surely make up for your skipped meal.

Or maybe not. Or maybe you actually want to talk to your friends before you leave. They might want to know things. Also, you still have two silver and six copper pieces in case you want to share part of them.

>Resist, stay awake
>Have Tahenohan help you stay awake
>Sleep, you can't afford not being rested tomorrow
>Other?

>>35735621
>>Have Tahenohan help you stay awake
Oho~

>>35735621
>>Sleep, you can't afford not being rested tomorrow
>>Cuddle and stroke Tahe's hair whilst we sleep.

>>35735621
>Have Tahenohan help you stay awake
But not lewdly, dammit!

>>35735643
Wait, sorry, missed the part about talking to our friends and sharing money. Change to
> Have Tahenohan help you stay awake.

>>35735621
>>Sleep, you can't afford not being rested tomorrow

>>35735621
>Sleep, you can't afford not being rested tomorrow

I see what you are trying to do, MP, and I approve of it.

But Lillith needs her beauty sleep.

>>35735621
>Have Tahenohan help you stay awake
Probably for the best anyway

>>35735621
>Have Tahenohan help you stay awake

Right, need to give them farewell.

I can't wait for the adventure!

>>35735621
>Resist, stay awake
We should say good-bye.

>>35735718
>But Lillith needs her beauty sleep.
We can still kind of be all drifty and just relax: it's not the sleep we REALLY need, but it'll be better than working a shift downstairs.

>>35735718
>beauty sleep
>not "visit from unspeakable and yet sexy things from our goddess" sleep.

>>35735807
> turns out the "second" dream from our goddess is actually just a very feely and rambunctious Tahe.

You made a huge mistake.

You shouldn't have lied on the bed. You shouldn't have let its not so soft, not so comfortable mattress support your back, you shouldn't have let the barely-counting-as-cushion welcome your tired head, you shouldn't have let Tahenohan jump on you and use your breasts as pillows, especially because now you're kind of envying her, you're way softer than your own bed.

But you need to stay awake. You need to talk to your friends, tell them you'll be leaving early tomorrow and be away for a few weeks at least, possibly give them some of your leftover money. So you do something you hope you won't regret.

"Tahe".

"Whaaat?".

"We have to stay awake".

You didn't sound very convinced, you have to admit.

"Eeeeeh", she doesn't sound like she wants to either, but then she gets up, "Oh! I know!".

She rummages through her bag and pulls out something. It looks like a set of dice made out of animal bone, you've seen it in her bag already but never from up close, and you never held them in your hands.

There's enough light to see what they are and what's on their faces, and you notice they're not all the same. Most of them have faces numbered one to six, but there's one that has some odd set of runes, and so does another... But the runes are different, or at least they look different.

"Let's read some fortunes, shall we?", and she smiles brightly, grabbing the dice and shaking them in her hands, "Shem method, do you know it?".

"No", you admit.

"It's easy, grab the dice and roll them, I'll do the fortune telling", and she smiles, "Only the first roll counts! And it's only good until the next new moon, so be careful!".

She sounds actually excited, but you don't know what the warnings mean.

>Roll the fortunes
>Have Tahenohan roll first
>Other?

>Whatever your choice, roll 6d6 as you vote

Rolled 4, 5, 4, 2, 3, 1 = 19 (6d6)

>>35735931
ROLL THE FORTUNES

Rolled 3, 6, 3, 6, 5, 2 = 25 (6d6)

>>35735931
>Roll the fortunes
Oh boy!

Rolled 6, 4, 2, 4, 5, 4 = 25 (6d6)

>>35735931
>>Roll the fortunes
We made a mistake: we are now not cuddling with Tahe.

Rolled 1, 6, 3, 2, 5, 5 = 22 (6d6)

>>35735931
>>Roll the fortunes

>>35736029
Geez anon, we will be all night and probably every night out in the wilderness. We're not a clingy girlfriend unable to handle physical distance. Yet, anyway.

>>35735984
>>35736006

Damn.

>>35736053
I never said we were a clingy girlfriend. It's more cuddling/head patting addiction. Once you start you just can't stop.

Not sure what to expect, but thinking it's a good pastime, you roll the bone dice she gave you.

They feel odd to the touch, you're not used to touch animal bone, especially not this well-carved and smooth. They feel empty inside, but they don't sound hollow for some reason. They're closed very well though, so you can't peek inside a crack or whatever and actually check.

The dice rattle eerily along the floor and take odd, sharp turns and saunters, bouncing in a way you wouldn't expect dice to bounce until they stop, and Tahenohan quickly moves them to arrange a pattern with the numbered faces forming a semi-circle from lowest to highest and the two runed ones at the top, as if crowning the rest.

"Oho!", she goes with a wide smile, "You're an interesting fellow", and she traces her fingers around the pattern she put the dice in, "You have a very balanced ascension. You start a bit above average and stay high. The moon is with you: definitely", she taps the first oddly runed dice on the left, "This means serendipity. You will find aid when you least expect it, and people will take your side to help you out on your mission. It is not the kind of help you can count on, and it doesn't involve anyone in particular, but Ehekatl will smile on your efforts".

Is that why you think you heard a cat meow in the distance while the dice were still bouncing? It can't be...

"But", and she taps the other oddly runed dice, "The sun is uncertain. It is too close, too hot, and will burn you if you're not careful", she then taps the two highest numbers, "Things will start well and keep going well with little in the way of surprise, but you'll have to be careful or you'll lose it all. Careful who you trust, careful what you do, careful what you say. Out of all that will look like serendipity, one of them will actually be the scorching sun, and burn you".

You don't really understand, but she looks dead serious.

>Ask if she has other games
>Ask her to roll too
>Other?

>>35736287
>Ask if she has other games
Sounds spooky.
Also gotta sleep, so thanks for running.

>>35736287
>>Ask her to roll too

> You will find aid when you least expect it, and people will take your side to help you out on your mission. It is not the kind of help you can count on, and it doesn't involve anyone in particular, but Ehekatl will smile on your efforts".
For some reason I can't help but include Tahe in that list.

>>35736287
>>Ask her to roll too

>>35736287

Oh and:
>"Things will start well and keep going well with little in the way of surprise, but you'll have to be careful or you'll lose it all. Careful who you trust, careful what you do, careful what you say. Out of all that will look like serendipity, one of them will actually be the scorching sun, and burn you".

Protip: don't go telling everyone you meet that you're a cultist. Seriously. Wait until we can either trust them, or know that they won't take offense.

>>35736287
>>Ask her to roll too
Right, so, someone's going to betray us. Let's make sure all our plans rely on at least two people, so nothing gets torpedoed completely without warning.

>>35736287
>ask her to roll too

She probably can't tell her own fortune.

Also, time to never talk to people about Ishtar!

"Why don't you roll too?", you ask Tahenohan.

"Eh? Me?", she smiles, "You want to push my luck too?".

"How is that pushing your luck? Isn't it going to happen even if you don't roll?", isn't fortune telling a way to tell something that's going to happen? You don't understand divination very well, but you thought that's how it worked.

"Not really, going by the Shem method, actually rolling means you get a hand on your own fate- for good or ill".

"Oh", you didn't know that, and it sounds a bit creepy, but before you can think twice and tell her to not roll, she's already doing it.

You feel the odd way the dice bounce and rattle around to be creepier than before, possibly because you know what happens by virtue of just rolling them. Then they stop- except for one that makes one final, impossibly sharp turn, and this time you're pretty damn sure you heard a cat meowing.

"Eh?", she blinks, as if amazed as she arranges the dice. The semi-circle is amazing: two fives and two sixes, a good one and a half point of average above you. The "moon" die is the same as yours but the "sun" is different.

"Well well, looks like I'll find unexpected aid too. It's the month of serendipity for us!", she sounds excited, then continues explaining, "I will be starting in near top shape and reach it as I further my goals... But I may become lost", she taps the sun die, "When I will be at the very best of my possibilities and shape, I might just fail. It's not the failure of powers rune, that's the one I hate the most, but I have to be careful or I will be my own doom".

She scratches her head, sighing, "That's always such a complicated result...".

>"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe".
>"Are you sure this method really works?".
>"Did we just do something dangerous?".
>"Are you really sure you don't have ordinary games to do?".
>"Let's just relax and wait quietly for now".
>Other?

>>35736422
>Also, time to never talk to people about Ishtar!

Not that much, just don't go telling random sailors and guards that we're a priestess of Ishtar. Telling the mermaids is fine (though I question the wisdom in doing it in front of all of those sailors) since they're more likely to have worshipers. We just need to build a base and reputation and take it slow. We're planning on being here for years, after all.

>>35736590
>>"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe".

>>35736590
>>"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe".

>>35736590
>"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get through whatever's thrown at us."

>>35736590
>"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe".
Sounds like we need to rely on each other.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe", and grasp her shoulder to give her comfort. It shouldn't be more difficult than usual, it will probably mean you have to keep her safe from herself... Like you already do. She's a half-elf after all. These dice sure know their stuff, after all.

"Thanks! I'll count on you, someone has to keep me safe from myself after all", she admits. She's taking these dice very seriously.

"We can get through whatever destiny throws at us, mark my words", you exert confidence, possibly because you're just tired.

"We better! We can't just reroll these dice now", she casually collects them and throws them a second time. You can't help but notice that they roll with unexpected normality, as you would expect a set of bone dice to roll, with no cat meowing and odd saunters.

You don't know who these Shem are but their dice are creepy as all hell.

Fortunately, you hear footsteps coming up from the stairs, along with the scent of food. And your friends come inside, Lucas first, with Zillis shortly behind, followed by Reiram and Mires, who all greet you. Lucas also gives you and Tahenohan a plate with a pike in custard sauce with carrots and a bowl of steamed, cut potatoes with parsley and olive oil.

"You were out until very late", he notes, "Where have you been?".

"I had urgent business to take care of", all of the energy that returns to you is dedicated to eating, and so is Tahenohan's, "I had to prepare because I am going to leave tomorrow".

"You are?", the others turn their heads toward you as well.

"Yes, sorry if it's sudden but I gathered the group we're going to explore with", you stop eating for a moment to take your money bag out, "We got some advance pay to cover for the expenses too".

>Share some of the money with your friends (how much?)
>Tell them you'll be away for a few weeks
>Tell them you don't know when you'll be back
>Tell them about your colleagues
>Other?

>>35736860
>Share some of the money with your friends (how much?)
1 silver and 6 copper. That leaves us with 1 silver.
>Tell them you don't know when you'll be back

>>35736860
>>Share some of the money with your friends (1 silver and 6 copper)
>>Tell them you'll be away for a few weeks
>>Tell them about your colleagues

>>35736860
>>Share some of the money with your friends (how much?)
Bout half.
>>Tell them you'll be away for a few weeks
>>Tell them about your colleagues
>>Tell them about the mermaids
But be tastefully non-specific.

>>35736860
>Share some of the money with your friends (how much?) half
>Tell them you'll be away for a few weeks

"An advance pay? Really?", Lucas seems quite interested, and so does Zillis. Mires pays attention for a bit but then goes off to adjust her own bed. Reiram just flops on his own, you guess he must be dead tired.

"Yes, we had a whole ten silver!", you're still pretty excited about it, "... But unfortunately we had to spend most of it to get prepared for a long journey".

"Oh", you see their amazed faces become a little sadder now that they've just been informed that most of your treasure is gone, "Well, I guess we really came here owning nothing but the clothes we wear".

"We do", and you pull out some coins from your bag, "That's why I want you to take this".

You offer Lucas and Zillis one silver and six copper, and they look like they don't know if they want to take them. "Please do", you insist, "I won't need them in the wilderness".

"Right...", Zillis takes them, with a thankful nod, while Lucas scratches his head, "Out in the wilderness? Is it safe?".

"It won't be too dangerous. I'm with two other people, two weres".

"TWO weres?".

"Yes", it's not an amazing number, but in a group of four that's almost half, which is still not that amazing but hey, "One is called Bryld, she's a were-rabbit and our cartographer. The other is a were-dog, or wolf, and she's an architect. She's just going the same way as us though. Oh, and she came all the way from Yerles to build houses".

"Yerles?", Zillis frowns, "Where's Yerles?".

"That's... Northern than Schwartzwald, right?", Lucas asks, and you nod.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone. A few weeks, but it's an estimate, the population census and actual exploration might take a while".

"Don't worry about us", Zillis assures you, "You're taking advantage of a great opportunity".

"I know. I'm also overseeing the improvement of relationships with the mermaids", you get some blinks of confusion, "... But that's another story, I'll take care of it when I'll be back".

>Continue

You and Tahenohan finish eating up all your food. It tasted great, you really have to appreciate the local cuisine. As a matter of fact, all things taste great if cooked right, or almost all of them, but in a town this well stocked and supplied it's easy to find just about anything, which means you have access to an amazing amount of recipes, foods and just about anything, really.

"If you have to leave for a trip to the wilderness, you have to be rested", Zillis declares, "You can use the bathroom first, then get to sleep you two. And don't worry about us".

"Thanks", they're being, as always, very considerate of you.

"You're going to stay a whole day to tell us about your travels, right?", Mires looks and sounds like she's not going to sleep; you know her neverending energy is kind of a problem, but she's always been like that, and she'll just drop asleep after a while anyway, "I want to hear all of the stories".

"Sure", you nod. You hope they'll be good stories, or at least entertaining.

With a full stomach and the anticipation of a great adventure, you go back to bed with Tahenohan, who falls asleep almost instantly, as if she is incapable of feeling tension at all.

Your mind begins wandering immediately, considering your close future. You're going to trek out in the wilderness very soon, with two strangers, to do something you're not qualified for. With an official charter. And are going to do a population census even though you have never done it before. All together.

This should keep you awake all night in dread worry, but you find yourself dreaming of cushions piled on top of you without even realizing.

Thank you for bearing with me through this episode as well.

I'm sorry about starting late, but I'll have to do so from now on. Next week I might not run at all, or just run Monday, I'll keep you updated.

Note that even if I will have to run shorter sessions, I'll still try my best to do them. I don't want to abandon something I started even if I'll be reduced to run just two hours a week.

>>35737313

You're breaking my heart, MP.

but as long as you're running, I will be here.

>>35737313
That's okay, this was a great thread. Headpat addiction~...

Thread archived.

I'll stay around for ten more minutes or so, but as I said I put up an Ask.fm for questions, so you can leave them at ask.fm/MagicalMarquise

>>35737438
How does Ishtar feel about our completely ignoring her dream-order to find the person with striped horns?

>>35737463
You don't think you completely ignored her dream-order just because you haven't found said person in, what, one day?

Searches take time. Also, stripes and horns are involved, but not necessarily together. You actually don't know what you're looking for exactly, but you're pretty damn sure you have plenty of time to take care of that.

>>35737510
Why DO mermaids give out blowjobs left and right?

>>35737545
That's something you forgot to ask them. Again.

>>35737564
Curse Terry for being so adorable and pettable!

What are the differences between mermaids? Obviously Terry has wicked teeth and a taste for blood, but what about tuna mermaids or betta mermaids?